Chapter 32
The next day.
The headlines were impossible to miss: #Mrs. Newton Goes On Record–Her Marriage Is Perfectly Fine#
Just like that, Nina was cast as the other woman, the homewrecker who’d ruined someone else’s relationship.
The minute the news dropped, Kelly showed up at the house, fuming.
“Who gave you permission to run your mouth to the press?” she snapped.
Patricia was sitting in her wheelchair, ready to head out. Jackson stood behind her, looming and watchful, eyes locked on Kelly like he could tear her apart if she made one wrong move.
“What was I supposed to do?” Patricia shot back coolly. “Keep my mouth shut so the media could tear your son apart? Is that what Mrs. Newton wants, to ruin her own son’s reputation?”
“Patricia, let me make one thing clear: everything about the Newton family has nothing to do with you. You have no right to speak to the media on our behalf.”
Patricia smiled, the kind of smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Nothing to do with her? Fine.
“If that’s what you want, then next time the press comes knocking, I’ll just tell them the truth.”
Kelly was always a little afraid of Patricia. There was something almost too sharp about her, something dangerous and alluring. Her legs might not work, but her mind was as quick as ever–witty, with a twist of mischief.
“What are you trying to do?” Kelly demanded.
“I’m just being honest. A marriage in shambles, a cheating husband–if I tell the media the real story, what do you think will happen to the Newtons?”
“You…”
The two of them stood there in the garden, neither willing to budge. Then, a black Mercedes pulled up fast at the curb.
Theo’s assistant, Aiden, rushed out and nodded politely to Kelly. “Ma’am.”
He turned to Patricia. “Mrs. Newton, Mr. Newton says you should stay home and rest for a few days. Please don’t go out.”
“And why is that?” Patricia asked, eyebrow raised.
Aiden looked uncomfortable. He’d never really understood the relationship between his boss and Patricia–it was a mess only they seemed to get.
With the reporters camped outside, if Patricia went out, she’d be surrounded in seconds, and in her condition, there was no way she could escape.
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Chapter 32
“Mr. Newton is just worried the press might harass you,” he said.
Patricia let out a soft, almost bored, “Oh? I’m not worried.”
“Mrs. Newton…” Aiden tried again. He had a job to do, and if he messed this up, he’d be the one in
trouble.
“Mr. Newton said as long as you don’t leave the house for the next few days, you can ask for anything you want.”
“Anything?” Patricia’s eyes lit up, a spark of interest in her voice.
“Yes, anything,” Aiden confirmed.
“Then tell him I want him to come with me to the registry office.”
Aiden froze, caught off guard. Divorce?
For once, his usually cool expression slipped. “Mrs. Newton, I… I don’t have the authority to agree to that.”
“Then call him,” Patricia said, adjusting the blanket on her lap. “I’m in no rush. I’ll wait.”
She made it clear–this was happening now.
Kelly stood to the side, watching everything unfold. She’d been waiting for this divorce for ages, always worried it might never actually happen.
Aiden walked away and made the call.
Theo was in the middle of a board meeting when the call came through. The second he heard Patricia’s demand, his face went cold. He shoved back his chair, strode to the door, and practically
tore it open.
His anger echoed through the room. “Put her on the phone.”
Aiden handed the phone to Patricia, but she didn’t take it–she just motioned for him to put it on speaker.
“Patricia, divorce? That’s not going to happen.”
Patricia’s voice was light, almost amused. “Not going to make this easy, huh? Aiden, weld the gates shut for me. Let’s see if I can climb out with one working leg.”
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
